Ayanda Sithebe
Founder of Actor Spaces
Ayanda Sithebe is a multi-award-winning creative and casting director with more than 15 years of experience in the entertainment industry. Ayanda’s accolades include the Mail and Guardian200 Young South African, SAFTAS and two Royalty Soapie nominations. As the Founder and CEO at Actor Spaces, in his role as the Senior Casting Director, Ayanda is instrumental in leading the SA casting for King Shaka (CBS/Showtime), Isono(BET Africa), Estate (SABC), Hlomu: The Wife (Showmax) and many others. Sithebe is also one of the co-founders and the festival director for Africa Rising Film Festival, a premier world-class social impact film festival which was part of Global Citizen official pre-events in 2018.
About Actor Spaces
Actor Spaces is an organisation that highlights, promotes and celebrates excellence in the African Film, Television and Theatre industry. We aim to create and maintain a digital footprint by documenting and archiving the stories of African Actors. The organisation allows for the development and appreciation of the craft, which extends to bridging the accessibility gap, info-sharing platforms, workshops and masterclasses to allow the previously marginalised to thrive within the industry
The brand allows for the development and appreciation of the craft, which extends to accessibility, info sharing platforms, workshops and masterclasses, especially for the previously disadvantaged.
For more information, visit www.actorspaces.co.za
Tshireletso Yvonne Diogo
MTV Staying Alive Foundation Spokesperson
Country Director
Yvonne leads MTV SAF operations in Southern Africa. She has been instrumental in the development of MTV Shuga Down South as a brand and the birth of the MTV Shuga peer education programme. Yvonne has brand communications and general management experience with youth and entertainment brands spanning over 18 years across South Africa, Botswana, Kenya and Zimbabwe.
Stephanie Ndlovu
Co-Chair MTV Staying Alive Foundation
Stephanie has unique knowledge and perspectives, developed from playing the role of ‘Tsholo’ in MTV Shuga: Down South season 1 and from working as an advocate and ambassador for MTV-SAF since 2016, including her role as Co-Chair. She brings her extensive knowledge and experience onto the judging panel, having judged the MTV Shuga Down South season 2 public auditions and her on-screen experience on tv productions.
Monde Twala
SVP & GM Paramount Africa and Peer Lead, BET International and Board Member: MTV Staying Alive Foundation
Monde Twala leads music, youth and family brands MTV, MTV Base, MTV Hits, BET Africa, Nickelodeon and Comedy Central across Africa. Twala’s portfolio and responsibilities include his role as Peer Lead across all BET International markets and he champions Black culture across the UK, France, Brazil and Africa bringing content that resonates and celebrates the culture globally. Twala’s expertise spans over 20 years across multiple content genres and formats beginning with broadcasters SABC and e.tv.
